4: Follow the Light—Your Guide to the Practices

Howdy Friend,

Observing light is a portal to presence.

This is where things shift—from ideas to action. These next few lessons are practices. They're meant to be repeated. Lived. Revisited. Especially during emotional storms.

Each practice you’re about to receive is built on this core invitation:

Follow the Light

That means: keep your face, your camera, and your attention pointed toward the source of light. When you do, the world around you—and inside you—comes alive with positive energy.

I first heard this phrase in 2015, during a street photography workshop in New York City led by Danish photographer Thorsten Overgaard. He’s a Leica guy. Very analog, very old school. And I’ll admit: I wasn’t there for the cameras. I was there because of the way he saw.

While others were slowly composing with their manual Leicas, I was rapid-firing my new Sony like I was on assignment for NASCAR. But eventually, something shifted. I slowed down. I stopped chasing. I followed the light instead.

These three “Follow the Light” practices are designed to bring you back to yourself. Back to God. Back to the ground under your feet and the light on your face.

They’re especially powerful during moments of acute distress, when your thoughts are spiraling and your nervous system is revving. Instead of fighting the storm, you’ll learn to observe it. And from that place of peace, you'll act.

Here’s the basic structure I use:

Focus. Capture. Shine.

You’ll see this structure repeated in each practice.

1. FOCUS on your body and surroundings

2. CAPTURE the present moment

3. SHINE your light on someone else

Simple. Repeatable. Deeply effective.

You’ll learn to place your hand on your heart, take three belly breaths, and gently assess your level of peace before each session. You’ll discover how light itself becomes a teacher. And you’ll begin to associate peace with specific body sensations—things that were always available, but previously overlooked.

You may even find that you begin to notice light in a new way, even without your camera. That’s your attention returning to presence.

This is not about creating “perfect” images. This is about receiving the gifts of each moment as they arrive—just as they are.

No judgment. No performance. Just light.

The next practice is called Chase Things That Sparkle. It’s going to invite you into play, wonder, and simplicity.

You’re doing holy work here. Keep going.

By the way, how is the journalling going?

Not feeling it? Well giddy up cowboy because at the end of each upcoming practice you will find corresponding journal prompts. During your morning quiet time you might review a few photos and write in your journal about yesterday’s mindful photography practice. Keep it old-school and use paper and pen versus an electronic method. Journaling with ink-on-paper will improve your results and bolster your creativity.

In fact, a University of Tokyo study revealed that writing on physical paper with its tactile experience creates more brain activity and improved memory while recalling the information an hour later.

Two-Way Journalling

If you would like to reinvigorate your journalling practice and connect to God's living voice, try Two-Way Journalling. Check out this commentary.